Chinese New Year is all about celebrating the kids; as long as they're happy, that's all that matters. Zhang Shuzhen knew the children would enjoy this, which is why she made it especially for them.
"Here, there's honey too, dip some in it."
Zhang Shuzhen poured some honey into a small plate and placed it in front of the children so they could dip their food in it.
The reason for using honey instead of white sugar is mainly because I'm afraid my child might overeat and get sick.
Generally speaking, if you get a sore from eating sticky food, you can use honey to treat it.
The children were eating zongzi dipped in honey, looking incredibly happy and enjoying their food so much that the adults didn't have to worry about them at all.
During the Spring Festival reunion, the four Sheng brothers, Sheng Xiping, Sheng Liancheng, drank a few cups of mountain wine with him to make their father happy.
Aunt Li and Zhang Shuzhen sat side by side. The two old ladies didn't drink alcohol, but poured themselves two glasses of hawthorn beer and each took a sip.
"Sister-in-law, look how wonderful you are! Your son and daughter-in-law are filial, and your grandchildren are sensible and adorable. It's truly enviable."
Looking at other people surrounded by their children and grandchildren, Aunt Li couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness as she thought of her own loneliness.
"Sister-in-law, why are you envious of me? Isn't this just like your family?"
I'm telling you, just treat Xiping as your son, and these children as your grandchildren.
"This family has never treated you like an outsider." Zhang Shuzhen smiled upon hearing this.
"Don't worry, as long as Xiping and his wife are here, you'll have someone to take care of you for the rest of your life. When you're no longer able to move, they'll take care of you in your old age and see you off in your final days."
"Yes, yes, Xiping and Qinglan are so good to me. Even if I had my own son, he might not be as filial as them."
"Sister-in-law, I'm just saying this casually since it's the New Year. I'm content," Aunt Li said with a smile.
Aunt Li has been living in the Sheng family for many years. Zhou Qinglan takes her to get a check-up every year so that any problems can be treated as soon as possible, which is why Aunt Li has always been in good health.
The Sheng couple were very generous, providing not only their salaries but also all their clothes, shoes, socks, and miscellaneous daily necessities for all four seasons.
Sheng Xinhua and the others also treated Aunt Li with the same respect and filial piety as their own grandmother.
It can be said that Aunt Li has lived a very comfortable life in the Sheng family all these years.
Just now, it was merely a momentary feeling triggered by the scene; Aunt Li had no other intention.
“Auntie, my mom is right, you can stay here in peace.”
As for the chores around the house, do as much as you can. If you can't do it, we'll take care of the rest.
Anyway, the kids are all grown up now, so we call on Xinhua and Xinyu for the heavy lifting, like washing dishes and picking vegetables. The two younger ones should learn to do some of the work too.
Don't spoil them; give them orders when necessary. I can't guarantee you'll have a life of luxury here, but I certainly won't let you suffer.
On the other end, Zhou Qinglan glanced at Sheng Xiping and replied with a smile.
Over the years, Aunt Li has had a particularly good relationship with Zhou Qinglan in the Sheng family.
People develop feelings for each other after spending a long time together. Aunt Li was a very kind person, and Zhou Qinglan respected her as if she were an elder in her own family.
"That's right, Auntie, you can stay here with peace of mind. If you need anything, just tell me."
"If I'm not home, tell Qinglan that this is your home." Sheng Xiping echoed from the other end.
"Hey, hey, I know, I know, I'm not going anywhere, I'll stay right here."
I still have to watch over Xinhua and the others as they take their college entrance exams, find jobs, and get married.
Aunt Li was quite moved. She raised her hand to wipe away the tears from the corner of her eyes and said with a smile.
People often feel like they can't eat much during the Lunar New Year. Even with a table full of dishes, they can't seem to notice anything missing by the end.
So, they took everything away and put it in the cupboard, to be eaten tomorrow.
After having a reunion dinner, we watched the Spring Festival Gala while making dumplings in the evening.
The Spring Festival Gala these days is interesting; adults and children alike enjoy watching it. Everyone is amused by the witty and humorous performances on TV, filling the room with laughter.
The most memorable works of this year were probably "A Heroic Mother's Day" and "The Lazy Man's Blind Date".
The actors in the show have since appeared on the Spring Festival Gala stage every year.
I finished making dumplings around 10 o'clock, then went to watch the Spring Festival Gala in peace. It wasn't until 11:30 that I went to boil water to cook the dumplings.
Just as the dumplings were cooked and served, the clock struck twelve.
One night spans two years, the fifth watch divides two years; when the bell tolls, the new year has arrived.
The children first wished Sheng Liancheng and his wife, as well as Aunt Li, a Happy New Year before sitting down to eat.
We ate zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) in the afternoon, and we ate too many. The sticky food is very filling, and the kids ate quite a lot.
For dinner, they just ate a few dumplings as a token gesture and that was it; even the money inside the dumplings couldn't entice them anymore.
I had just finished eating dumplings and hadn't even had a chance to clean up my things when the phone on the cabinet rang.
When Sheng Xiping answered the phone, he heard it was a call from his hometown.
Life is better back home now. Sheng Lianyi's family has installed a telephone. This is Sheng Xizheng and his family calling to wish Sheng Liancheng and his wife a Happy New Year.
Sheng Liancheng was overjoyed to receive New Year's greetings from his nephews. He chatted with them for a while and then talked to Sheng Lianyi for a few more minutes.
If they weren't worried about the high cost of long-distance calls, they probably could have chatted for an hour or two.
Since the passing of the two elders of the Sheng family, none of the brothers in the Sheng family have returned home for the Chinese New Year.
Home is where parents are; now that they're gone, the brothers each have their own lives. It's good enough if they can go back to see their eldest brother when they have time, but they can't go back for the New Year anymore.
I don’t know if the Sheng brothers planned it beforehand, but they all called to wish me a Happy New Year. I had just hung up the phone when it rang again. This time it was Sheng Lianjie.
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